Chasing a Brighter Blue, page 13
“Oh, yeah. Josh’s sister, Reagan…well, let’s just say she would feel more comfortable in a tuxedo than a formal dress, if you know what I mean.”
He raised his eyebrows, and she smiled and nodded at his unasked question.
“That’s a coincidence, isn’t it? Do you know her?”
“Met her last week when I got here. Tuesday. Anyway, she’s refused to be a bridesmaid if it involves a dress and Mother refuses to let her wear a tuxedo, even though Stephanie and Josh are fine with it. So that’s the crisis.”
“What’s your take on it?”
“I think Reagan would look very handsome in a tuxedo,” she said with a smile. “In fact, I’m certain it would push Mother over the edge. That would be entertaining.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Any more news on Aspen?”
“They’re going to wrap up the audit this week. I did speak to Murray, briefly. I was vague with what we’d found. I have a meeting scheduled with him and William next Monday.”
“I still can’t believe it,” she said.
“I’m as shocked as you are. After I meet with him next week, we’ll decide how to proceed.”
“Surely you’re going to fire him.”
“Without a doubt, yes. I meant whether we’re going to press charges or not.”
“Worried about publicity?”
“Yes.” He finished his coffee and shoved the cup away. “But let’s not let it ruin the week.” He stood. “I hope you’ll save a dance for me.”
“Of course.”
She sighed as her gaze followed him out the door. He seemed…a little down and she suspected it wasn’t all due to Mark Murray. Her father was usually a cheerful, playful man. It was obvious by his demeanor and the look in his eyes that he would rather be anywhere else than here. But she knew that had nothing to do with Stephanie’s wedding and everything to do with her mother.
Or else…maybe he was missing someone, wishing he was with her instead. Should she come right out and ask him if he was having an affair? Would he consider it any of her business? Was it her business? She grabbed the bridge of her nose and squeezed. Her father was a handsome man, still young-looking at fifty-eight. She had visions of his mistress being a twenty-five-year-old gold digger. A voluptuous blonde with long, red fingernails and costume jewelry.
Unless he already had her dripping in diamonds.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Reagan stared into the mirror, adjusting the bow tie a bit. She’d been pleasantly surprised that the first shop she’d gone into had tuxedos for women. There were four places in Estes Park that rented formal wear. She had been prepared to have to hit them all to find what she wanted.
“You look so pretty.”
Reagan turned to her mother. “I’m a dyke in a tuxedo. You can’t say pretty.”
Her mother grabbed her lapel and pulled it tighter. “What should I say? Handsome? You’re that too. And I don’t like you calling yourself a dyke. It’s offensive.”
Reagan rolled her eyes. “I am what I am, Mom.”
Her mother fussed with her tie a bit, stalling. She finally dropped her hands. “When you were young, a toddler, you were so darn cute,” she said. “I’d thought about sending your photo in to a modeling agency.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. You’ve seen your baby pictures, Reagan. You were adorable.” She laughed. “Not to insinuate that you’re not still.”
“Well, thank you for not doing it.”
“I had visions of you in commercials or maybe modeling.”
“Modeling?” She laughed. “I was a farm girl with skinned up knees.”
Her mother waved her hand in protest. “Regardless…you were an adorable farm girl. And you’ve grown into such a beautiful woman.”
Reagan took her mother’s hands. “I’m sorry I wasn’t the girl you wanted, Mom. You had visions of twirling and cheerleading and dance classes. I’m sorry I wasn’t all that.”
Her mother squeezed her hands. “Don’t you dare say you’re sorry. I wouldn’t trade you for anyone in the world.”
As their hands held, Reagan blinked tears away as she saw her mother’s eyes well over too. She finally pulled her mother into a tight embrace.
“You’re the best, Mom,” she whispered in her ear.
When they pulled apart, her mother dabbed at the tears in her own eyes. “Well, I happen to think that you’re the best too.”
Reagan took a step away, trying to get her emotions under control. “I should warn you, Shelby expects a dance tonight. With me.”
Her mother smiled. “She does? That’s great. Did you make another pass at her like we suggested?”
Reagan shook her head. “Actually, she made a pass at me.” She smiled, embarrassed. “She kissed me.”
Her mother’s eyes widened. “What does that mean?”
“It means I’m in trouble. Big trouble.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Shelby and Stephanie took a casual stroll inside the ballroom, looking at all the Christmas decorations Bruce and his staff had managed to cram inside. It was so overdone, so jam-packed with colorful trees and lights and red and green garland…and it was beautiful in spite of the excess.
“I’m in love with it,” Stephanie said again. “It’s like Christmas overload.”
“I have to admit, it’s very pretty,” Shelby said. Christmas carols were playing quietly in the background and she found herself humming along.
“You look gorgeous, by the way,” Stephanie said. “I’m jealous. That dress is awesome. Where’d you get it?”
Shelby smiled. “You thought I’d wear a suit, didn’t you?”
“It crossed my mind.”
“Well, I didn’t shop for it. I told Bernie what I wanted.”
“Wow. Mother let you borrow Bernie? She was probably shocked that you even asked.” She touched the dress. “What shade of blue is that? It has a lavender tint to it.”
“Bernie called it midnight blue.” Shelby led her to the tables where the staff was beginning to put food out. “What did you finally settle on?”
“You mean, what did Mother finally settle on,” Stephanie corrected. “All finger foods. Fancy sandwiches—eleven kinds. Seven varieties of cheese. Shrimp and sushi and caviar. Some tartlets. A bunch of dips,” she said. “Oh, you’ve got to try the seafood guacamole. It was so good. And there’s a crab and artichoke dip that was awesome too.”
“I take it you got to sample the menu?”
“Yes. Remember a couple of weeks ago when Mother and I met with the chefs? They had over seventy items to choose from.”
“Sorry I missed it,” she lied. “Come on, let’s get a drink.”
“I’ll have a glass of champagne,” Stephanie said.
“I’ll need something stronger than that to get through the evening,” she said as they headed to the bar that was in the back corner. Zach was working it. “They pull you out of the main bar?” she asked him.
“It’s my day off so I volunteered to work back here.” He motioned to his large tip jar. “Open bar usually means big tips,” he said with a grin.
“Good plan,” she said. “I’ll have my usual. Stephanie wants champagne.”
“So you talked to Dad this morning, I guess,” Stephanie said when Zach stepped away.
“Yes. He seemed…well, not himself,” she said. “What did you think?”
“He appeared distracted,” Stephanie said. “Of course as soon as he got here, Mother started in on the wedding and how it’s going to be a complete disaster.”
Shelby rolled her eyes but didn’t comment. When Zach brought their drinks, she reached into her handbag and pulled out some money, being the first to fill his tip jar.
“Thank you very much,” he said with a grin.
“You’re welcome.”
Stephanie touched Shelby’s glass with her champagne flute. “Cheers,” she said.
“To wedded bliss,” Shelby added.
“Speaking of that, have you seen Mother? She looks really nice.”
Shelby shook her head. “Have they come in?”
“Mother was here earlier—making her last round to make sure everything was set up like she’d ordered,” she said with a laugh. “But I just saw Dad come in.”
Shelby scanned the room, finding her father speaking with Josh’s parents. Her mother wasn’t around. “I don’t see her.”
“Over there,” Stephanie said. “She’s talking with Mrs. Harper, one of the friends she invited from her bridge club.”
“Oh. She’s in red. She blends in with the Christmas decorations.”
“I know. But she’s festive,” Stephanie said. She looked at her, taking in her dress again. “Bernie did her dress too, obviously, but I like yours better.”
“Thank you. I’m really glad Mother didn’t try to go strapless as well.”
Stephanie didn’t answer as she stared past her. “Oh, my God,” she whispered. “Oh my freakin’ God.”
“What?” Shelby turned, following Stephanie’s gaze. She very nearly dropped her drink.
“Don’t you dare tell Josh this, but Reagan looks better in a tuxedo than he does.” She leaned closer. “I think even I would go out with her.”
Shelby blinked several times, finally finding her voice. “How about you stick with Josh, huh?”
Unfortunately, she didn’t have time to gather herself as Reagan had spotted them and was headed their way. And, as Stephanie had said, “oh my freakin’ God.” She couldn’t take her eyes off her as Reagan walked confidently toward her. Reagan stopped several feet away, her own gaze sweeping over her, then once again, more slowly. Shelby finally took a breath, not realizing she had stopped breathing.
Stephanie cleared her throat beside her, and Shelby pulled her eyes from Reagan and turned to Stephanie. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
Stephanie gave her a knowing smile and a subtle wink. “Sure. I need to find my fiancé.” She walked up to Reagan and touched her arm. “You look fabulous in a tux,” she said. “Please wear it to the wedding on Friday.”
Reagan gave her a quick nod, then turned her attention back to Shelby. Shelby took a deep breath, then moved closer, smiling as she met Reagan’s eyes.
“Had you been wearing that in the bar that first day I would have definitely said yes.”
Reagan smiled too. “Well, I won’t make that mistake again.” Then her expression turned more serious as her eyes swept over her once again. “You look…beautiful,” Reagan said quietly. “In fact, breathtaking.”
“Thank you.” She looked down at her dress, the slit in the side much higher than she’d wanted, but Bernie had insisted. As she saw Reagan’s gaze follow hers and lock on her exposed leg, she was very glad she’d let Bernie have his way. “It’s not often that I…well, this isn’t exactly what I normally wear,” she admitted.
Reagan motioned to her tux. “Nor I.”
Shelby couldn’t resist as she took a step closer. “You look incredible in a tuxedo,” she whispered.
Before Reagan could answer, the lights were dimmed and the Christmas music was muted as the DJ took over.
“Welcome, everyone. Glad you could make it. To kick off our wedding dance, the bride will share the first one with her father. Give them a hand.”
Clapping ensued and Reagan leaned closer. “That’s your father?” Reagan asked with just a touch of surprise in her voice.
Her father was a tall, handsome man and came across as intimidating to some. But he was only her father to her.
“Yes.”
“You do favor him, although his hair is more brown than blond.”
Shelby laughed. “Well, I have a very good hairdresser.” She motioned behind her to the bar. “You want a drink?”
“Yes, please.”
They went over to the bar and Zach raised his eyebrows. “Scotch?”
Reagan nodded. “You’re a good man, Zach.”
“The sign of a good bartender is remembering what the regulars drink,” he said with an easy smile.
Reagan laughed. “Not sure I want to be classified as a regular…not at a hotel bar, anyway.”
Shelby leaned against the bar next to her. “I didn’t see you around today.”
“No. We braved the weather and I took my mom out to lunch, then we went shopping,” Reagan said. “What did you do?”
“Visited with my father a little, then spent the rest of the time avoiding my mother,” she said with a quick laugh. “I had a little work to do too, so I spent a couple of hours with that.”
She looked out over the dance floor as the song came to an end. She was surprised to see her father seek out her mother for the next dance. Maybe things were okay between them after all.
“Heads up,” Reagan said quietly. “Dougie’s on his way over.”
Shelby turned, watching as Doug sidestepped an older woman she didn’t recognize. One of Josh’s relatives, maybe. Doug caught her eyes and smiled, and she tentatively returned it. Then, in a panic, she looked above her head, making sure she was not standing under mistletoe.
Reagan laughed. “I would have already claimed a mistletoe kiss if it was there.”
Doug stopped in front of them, his gaze shifting to Reagan, and he slowly shook his head.
“My goodness, Ray Ray, look at you. Did you take a wrong turn at the dress fittings?”
Shelby had to bite her lip to stop herself from coming to Reagan’s rescue. Of course, Reagan didn’t need rescuing. At least, not from Doug.
“No, they actually make tuxedos for women,” Reagan said easily. “You should try it, Dougie. I’m sure they’ll have one to fit you too.”
Shelby stifled her laugh, but Doug was not amused.
“I think one cross-dresser in the family is enough.” He turned to Shelby. “You look absolutely beautiful, Shelby. I was hoping to have a dance with you.” He stepped closer. “I won’t take no for an answer.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but he had grabbed her hand and was tugging her out onto the dance floor. She looked back at Reagan, who was simply watching them with an amused expression on her face.
“You really need to be careful of Reagan,” Doug said as he pulled her closer. “She’s unscrupulous.”
“Really? I’ve actually spent quite a bit of time with her, and I’ve found her to be very forthright,” she said. His hand was on her bare back and she tried her best to ignore it. But when it moved lower, she stiffened. “If you touch my ass, I’ll slap you,” she warned. The hand immediately stopped its movement.
“I’m…simply dancing,” he said. “But that dress…you are the most beautiful woman here, Shelby.”
She didn’t acknowledge his comment. Instead, she tried to steer the conversation away from her. “I expected to see you here with Holly. She’s very nice, don’t you think?”
“Oh, yes. She is. We had fun at the spa together. But she’s not really my type,” he said. He leaned closer, his lips near her ear. “Now, you, on the other hand—”
She laughed. “Trust me, I am not your type.” She tried to put some distance between them as they danced. “I know you don’t believe me, Doug, but I really am a lesbian.”
He shook his head and smiled. “No, you’re not. I asked your mother. She said you hadn’t met the right guy yet. In fact, she thinks I might be the right guy.”
She forced a smile to her face. “My mother is still holding out hope,” she said. “But if there is one Bryant here that I am attracted to, it’s Reagan, not you.”
He nearly stumbled as their feet tangled. When he righted himself, he sported an angry blush on his face.
“Ray Ray? You’re attracted to her? She’s dressed like a man, for God’s sake.”
Shelby stopped dancing and pulled out of his arms. “She looks stunning. And don’t ask me to dance again,” she said quickly before heading back to the bar and Reagan.
But she was intercepted by her father, who held a hand out to her. “May I?”
She smiled at him. “Of course.”
“Who was that handsome fella you were dancing with?”
Shelby groaned. “Josh’s cousin and the best man. Doug Bryant.”
“I take it you’re not fond of him?”
“He thinks he has a shot with me, thanks to Mother. He tried to grab my ass when we were dancing.”
Her father laughed. “Now when’s the last time a man has gotten that close to you?”
She smiled. “It would have been Preston Wilcox when I was nineteen,” she said.
He nodded. “I remember Preston. I never liked him.”
“Mother loved him.”
“I would think Christine would love any man you brought around.”
“I know. And I know she still thinks this is a phase I’m going through.”
“Well, you never bring any lady friends around,” he said. “In fact, we’ve not met a single woman you’ve dated, have we?”
She sighed. “No. Truth is, I don’t date much, Dad. One and done, usually,” she admitted.
“Why is that? You’re a beautiful woman, Shelby. Smart, conscientious, mature. Why one and done?”
“Stephanie says I’m either too picky or I’m paranoid.”
“Everyone should be picky when it comes to finding the right mate,” he said. “But paranoid?”
She nodded. “Because of you, the hotels, the money.”
“Ah. Of course. Hard to trust?”
“Yes.”
He spun her around with a smile. “My lovely daughter…you’ll meet someone one day who will sweep you off your feet. You’ll know when it’s right and you’ll know you can trust her.”
“You think so?”
“I do. These things often happen when you least expect it.” As the song faded and another one began, he led her off to the side. “I could use a drink,” he said.
She linked arms with him. “You’re in luck. I happen to know the bartender. Besides, there’s someone I want you to meet.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Reagan stared nervously as Shelby and her father headed her way. She turned to Zach, who had just made a martini for someone.
